GRAVETTE -- The Gravette city council, in its meeting on Thursday, voted to rezone property at 13869 N. Hwy. 279 in Hiwasse from C-2 highway commercial to A-1 agricultural. The property is approximately 10 acres.
In other business, council members approved a lease agreement between the city and JD McNelly of JD's Dirtworks for use of the former bus barn property on Charlotte Street. McNelly agrees to pay $250 a month, to be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the grounds and to mow the area inside the fence. The agreement may be terminated by either party with a 30-day notice.
Three resolutions were passed at the meeting. The first authorizes the mayor to spend up to $50,000 in the event of a catastrophic emergency such as a tornado or ice storm without having to wait for a council meeting. The second gives approval for the position of emergency services medical director for the fire department and specifies that this person shall be a licensed physician.
The third resolution approves several budget adjustments to allow for purchase of a canine for the police department, to repair a section of historical sidewalk, to install a historical marker and benches on the former site of Nebo, to begin preservation of the former Presbyterian Church and to install a community sign in Hiwasse.
Council members voted to approve a $16,000 general improvement fund grant to fund the aforementioned projects.
At the conclusion of the meeting, David Bailey, city attorney, encouraged everyone to get out and vote for the proposed bond issue. Mayor Kurt Maddox echoed his sentiments and said he expected to have a positive announcement in the next few days about a store planning to come to town.
General News on 03/02/2016